Bridle-bit.



W. H. COLLINS.

BBIDLE BIT. v

APPLICATION rum) 00m. 1906.

PATENTED JAN. 21',-190a.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. COLLINS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JESSE L. I

HOLMES, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

BRIDLE-BIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

Application filed October 9. 1906. Serial No. 338.186.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. COLLINS, citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to devise novel means for use in connection with a bridle bit to enable a fractious animal to be readily controlled and to prevent its running away when left unattended and properly hitched.

In accordance with this invention a lever is fitted to a rein ring of a bridle bit and has connection at its inner-end with the opposite rein ring, whereby a pull upon the outer end of said lever will cause its inner end to press against the underside of the animals jaw and thereby bring it, into subjection or cause it to cease from pulling in the direction to get away.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings.

While the invention may be adapted to different forms and conditions by changes in the structure and minor details without departing from the spirit or essential features thereof, still the preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bridle bit embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a front view, the full lines illustrating the normal position of the curb and the dotted lines illustrating the position of the curb when pulled upon.

The invention may be applied to any type, style or make of bridle bit and is illustrated in connection with a snaffle bit, which is best adapted therefor. The bit is provided at its ends with rein rings 1 and comprises jointed mouth bars 2.

The curb, which constitutes the invention, comprises a lever 3 and a connecting piece 4, the latter being jointed to the inner end of the lever and constructed to make detachable connection with the rein'ring opposite to that supporting the lever 3. To admit of the curb being readily fitted to any bridle bit, the lever 3 is provided in its length with a crimp 5 which is adapted to receive a rein ring and prevent relative movement or displacement of said lever. The inner end of the lever has an eye 6 to receive a corresponding eye of the connection 4:. The outer end of the lever 3 has an eye 7 to which the hitching strap 8 is connected and which hitching strapimay be weighted or adapted to be attached to a post or other object. The connection 4 may be of any construction and as shown consists of a snaffle which is adapted to make detachable connection with the rein ring opposite to that supporting the lever 3.

When the bit is placed in position. the bar is fitted in the mouth and the curb is arranged to pass beneath the lower jaw. In the event of the animal becoming unruly or fractious, or attempting to run away when left unattended, a pull upon the outer end of the lever 3 through the hitching strap 8 or in any other manner, will cause the inner end of said lever to exert an upward pressure against the underside of the lower j aw of the animal and bring the latter under subjection or cause it to desist from moving in the direction to cause the hitching strap to pull upon the outer end of the lever 3. Under normal conditions, the curb hangs free and does not cause any inconvenience or annoyance to the animal, but when the outer end of the lever 3 is pulled upon, the inner end moves so as to press against the lower jaw which is tender, and thereby produces painful pressure proportionate to the degree of pull upon the outer end of the lever 3. Upon release of the pull upon the outer end of the lever 3, the inner end of said lever will move away from the jaw and the animal after one or more attempts will soon learn to obey and not attempt to move away when left hitched and unattended.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: v

The herein described curb attachment for snaffle bits consisting of a snap hook adapted to be secured to one of the rein rings of the bit and of a length substantially equal to one of the mouth bars of the bit, said snap being formed at one end with an eye, and a lever formed at one end with an eye looped into the eye of the snap hook and provided in its sauce and constitute a iulcrum for said lever which said lever being provided with a loop deprevents, in normal operation, any relative signed for the attachment of a hitching strap. 10

longitudinal movement of said lever, the In testimony whereof I afiix my signature said lever projecting out beyond the crimp a in presence of tWo Witnesses.

distance substantially equal to the portion of WILLIAM H. COLLINS. [L. 5.] the lever between the crim and the eye, lVitnesses: whereby the lever will be su stantially bal- JESSE L. HOLMES,

anced in the rein ring, the outer extremity of JoNAs P. BRINOKLY. 

